Tuberculous orchiepididymitis during 1978-2003 period: review of 34 cases and role of 16S rRNA amplification

Abstract

Genitourinary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 543 patients in Spanish hospital from 1978 through 2003. Of the 371 male 34 (9.2%) had orchiepididymitis. Mean age was 52.7 years and the presenting symptom was scrotal swelling and/or pain. Over 50% of cases involved the right ovotestis. Associated renal tuberculosis and active disease in extraurological organs presented in 64% and 19.2% of cases, respectively. Diagnosis was established by culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis recovery from urine and/or purulent scrotal exudate. Genomic amplification techniques aided the diagnosis in 8 patients. Treatment was rifampin, isoniazide, and pyrazinamide or ethambutol. Eight patients required combined medical and surgical treatment.